Folkadelphia Session: Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers

We can’t be murder ballads and introspective fingerstyle guitar playing all of the time. Sometimes we just need to let our hair down, grab a cold one, mosey on over to that dancefloor, and enjoy ourselves. This is even more poignant as we venture further into the days of warm weather and extended hours of sunlight (and am I smelling BBQ right now?!)

We were looking for fun and then we found fun, and heaven knows we’re thankful for Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. Nicki and her music fulfill all of the qualifications for having a good time – energetic playing (✓), rock swagger (✓), makes you want to sing along (✓), killer vocals (✓), a good helping of soul and passion (✓).

Nicki first grabbed our attention with her rootsy 2011 album ‘Driftwood,’ which showcased her knack for singing and songwriting. With her latest digital single and, I’m sure with her forthcoming LP, Nicki (now billed with her Gramblers) amps up the full band element and, with it, the fun factor.

We snagged Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers for our latest Folkadelphia Session before they played on World Cafe Live on March 26th, 2013. While the band appears here in a stripped-down , acoustic configuration, there is no lack of passion, energy, soul, or delight; they still make me want to blast it out of a convertible.